Monument to Suvorov A. V. in St. Petersburg

Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov - the legendary generalissimo, Russian commander and military theoretician. Throughout Russia, many monuments to AV Suvorov have been installed, but the most recognizable monument is the Mars Field in St. Petersburg.

Biography

Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov was born in 1730 in Moscow. From his earliest childhood, he studied military affairs, foreign languages, trained a weak organism from birth, devoted much time to his physical development. From his youth he was on military service. AV Suvorov is famous for having not suffered a single defeat in his entire military life. He was famous for his patriotism, devotion to the Russian Empire, care for ordinary soldiers. Suvorov is the author of many works and military strategies, an outstanding statesman and a talented military commander. Some of his outstanding victories were the battles with the Turkish troops near the town of Rymnik and the battle with the army of Napoleon in Italy. AV Suvorov died in 1800 in St. Petersburg, he was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

History of creation

In 1799, Russian troops under the leadership of Suvorov won a victory over the Napoleonic army. After this victory, Emperor Paul I ordered the erection of a monument to Suvorov. This is one of the first cases in history, when a monument to the hero began to erect during his lifetime. In the beginning of work on the monument he was planned to be installed in Gatchina, but Pavel I wished to see a monument near his residence (Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg). The author of the monument was the famous sculptor M. Kozlovsky. The construction project was approved in 1800. The author of the pedestal, on which stands the monument, was the architect A. Voronikhin. The pedestal depicts a bas-relief that depicts Glory and the World - symbols of the most famous victories of AV Suvorov.

Appearance

The great commander is depicted on the monument in a completely different way than he looked in reality. The portrait resemblance was not observed by the author. In fact, Suvorov was lean and wiry, of short stature. The monument depicts him as an athlete, symbolizing the strength of the spirit and the fearlessness of the commander. The Generalissimo is depicted in the guise of Mars, the god of war. It is thanks to this monument that the field, where it was originally established, is called Marsov. Quite often, Suvorov was called the "god of war" for his talent, impetuosity, patriotism and fearlessness. The monument to Suvorov depicts him holding a sword and shield. The sword in the hand of the commander impresses the invisible enemy, and the shield protects the Russian land from enemies. The shield in the hands of Suvorov covers the altar of three faces, on which the Neapolitan and Sardinian crowns are located, as well as the tiara of the Pope. Behind this altar are depicted growing lilies - a symbol of the peoples of Italy, protected by the Russian army. The height of the sculpture itself is 3.37 m, the height of the pedestal, on which stands the monument - 4.05 m.

In the history of sculpture, the monument to Suvorov on the Field of Mars is the first major monument created exclusively by Russian masters. Not surprisingly, it is considered to be one of the most significant, created in Russia in the XVIII century. A real masterpiece of Russian sculpture and architecture is a monument to Suvorov. The photo shows all the expressiveness of the monument and its spirituality.

Installation and opening

The monument to Suvorov, the great Russian commander, was opened in May 1801. AV Suvorov did not live to see it and did not manage to establish the monument during the life of the hero. By the time of the opening, there was no longer a customer - Emperor Paul I was killed two months before the opening ceremony of the monument. The ceremony was very solemn, it was attended by the new Russian emperor Alexander I, the military nobility of the capital, the son of AV Suvorov and a large audience. The monument was opened on the Champ de Mars. However, later (in 1818), during the redevelopment of the Mikhailovsky Palace, the Suvorov monument was moved to the new Suvorov Square, from which an excellent view of the Neva opens.

The monument was reconstructed in 1834. The pedestal on which the monument stood was cracked because of strong winter frosts. It was built of blocks of marble, and after reconstruction it was changed to a new pedestal - pink granite. The reconstruction of the pedestal was carried out by the architect Visconti.

Legends and myths

There is a legend about the monument to Suvorov. During the Great Patriotic War, many monuments were filmed and sheltered in rooms or cellars so that they were not affected by the bombing. The soldiers saluted the monument to Suvorov leaving for the front - people believed that while the monument stands in its place, the city is protected from the enemy. However, when the danger of damage during the bombardment increased, the monument was nevertheless decided to hide in the basement of one of the houses near Suvorov Square.

At night, on the eve of the transfer, one of those who had been instructed to hide the monument, dreamed of Suvorov. He threatened with his finger and said that he had never been a coward during his lifetime and does not want to become a coward and hide after his death. The decision to move the monument was canceled, the monument was left in its place. A little later the bomb whizzed right next to the head of the monument to Suvorov, leaving it unscathed. And that cellar, where they planned to move the monument, was completely destroyed by the bombing.

At present, the monument to Suvorov in St. Petersburg takes its place on Suvorov Square. He is a model of architecture and sculpture, symbolizing the valor and invincibility of the Russian army.